Device for changing temperature of material therein

ABSTRACT

A device for changing the temperature of material placed therein by a user of the device comprises an inner member having an open end for receiving and containing the material the temperature of which is to be changed, providing the device with an outer envelope, and a multi-component temperature changing composition within the outer envelope and activatable by mixing. The inner and outer member are movable relative to each other to agitate and mix and activate the composition, thus to create an endothermic reaction or an exothermic reaction. In two embodiments, the members are rigid. In one of these two embodiments, the composition is activatable by rotational movement of the members, and in the other, the composition is activatable by telescopic movement of the members. In a third embodiment, the inner and outer members are flexible and the composition is activatable by squeezing the members together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for changing the temperature ofmaterial placed therein and more particularly to such a device which canbe used to refrigerate or heat medical specimens or foodstuffs orbeverages after placement therein by medical personnel in the case ofmedical specimens that must be refrigerated or cooled or by otherpersonnel in the case of foodstuffs or beverages.

It is often necessary or highly desirable to refrigerate certain medicalspecimens such as spinal fluid, blood and other body fluids, pending thetesting thereof. If refrigerated, the time periods during which testsmust be completed are extended.

Heretofore, there has been no convenient way to effect suchrefrigeration.

It is desirable also to be able to refrigerate or heat such items asbeverages and foodstuffs when desired.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the invention to provide aself-refrigerating or self-heating device for automaticallyrefrigerating or heating materials placed therein by medical or otherpersonnel.

It is another object to provide such a device that is of simple,inexpensive construction and is simple to use, and that is disposable.

The following U.S. patents were found in a search hereon:

    ______________________________________                                        U.S. Pat. No.                                                                             Date            Inventor                                          ______________________________________                                        3,951,127   April 20, 1976  Watson et al.                                     4,057,047   November 8, 1977                                                                              Gossett                                           4,093,424   June 6, 1978    Yoshida et al.                                    4,114,591   September 19, 1978                                                                            Nakagawa                                          4,552,190   June 11, 1985   Kuhn et al.                                       4,528,218   July 9, 1985    Maione                                            ______________________________________                                    

Watson et al. discloses a device that is said to maintain a constanttemperature after activation. A first chemical is within a container andactuation is accomplished by adding a second chemical to the containerthrough a valve. The device is intended for use as a warm baby mattress,a warm blanket or a hot water bottle substitute, for example.

Gossett teaches a thermal pack comprising three bags, two of which areof the same size and contain chemicals. The third bag contains water andis rupturable by by manual pressure, allowing the water to react withthe chemicals to provide either an increase or a decrease intemperature. The pack is flexible so that it can conform to the surfacebeing treated.

Yoshida et al. relates to a thermogenic composition that generates alarge amount of heat merely through contact with air, without theaddition of water. The composition is kept in a case and is exposed tooxygen when the case is perforated by a needle, when a cover film ispeeled off, when a pull-tab is removed, or when a screw-type perforatingmechanism is used. Suggested uses are for heating many items exterior tothe case.

Nakagawa relates to an exothermic metallic composition for a bodywarmer. The composition is contained in a porous bag to be applied to aportion of a human body.

Kuhn et al. discloses a flexible heat pad which is actuatedelectrochemically.

Maione discloses a disposable device for self-heating or self-coolingdrinks or other foodstuffs by an exothermic or an endothermic reaction.The device has a outer diaphragm 7, a room 8 for a solid reactant and aninner breaker, a room 9 for a liquid reactant and an inner breaker and aroom 10 for liquid or solid foodstuff. After the liquid or solidfoodstuff is introduced into room 10, room 10 is heat sealed with apeelable diaphragm 3, which assures a long conservation of the foodproduct in room 10 and is removed before using the contents of room 10.Thus, Maione is limited to pre-packaged foodstuff.

Maione is the only prior art example of a device which involves heatingor cooling something which is within the device.

A self-refrigerating specimen container in accordance with the inventionprevents specimen deterioration and possible false results from adeteriorated specimen. The invention also avoids having to obtain asecond specimen because a first specimen has become spoiled. At present,it is common practice to refrigerate specimens in pans of ice, but thatpractice has numerous disadvantages, among which are the time wastedprocuring an ice holding container and a few pounds of ice, thedifficulty experienced with specimen labels in ice pans, in which theice and melted ice commonly blur the label information or cause thespecimen labels to fall off the specimen containers.

It is therefore an additional object of the invention to provide aself-refrigerating device for medical specimens, which device overcomesthe disadvantages enumerated in the preceding paragraph.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device embodying the invention for changing the temperature ofmaterial placed therein by a user of the device comprises an innermember having an open end for receiving and containing the material, thetemperature of which is to be changed, an outer member providing thedevice with an outer envelope, and a multi-component temperaturechanging composition within the outer envelope and activatable bymixing. The inner and outer members are movable relative to each otherto agitate and mix and activate the composition, thus to create anendothermic reaction or an exothermic reaction.

In two embodiments, the members are rigid. In one of these twoembodiments, the composition is activatable by rotational movement ofthe members, and in the other, the composition is activatable bytelescopic movement of the members. In a third embodiment, the inner andouter members are flexible and the composition is activatable bysqueezing the members together.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a first device that is a preferredembodiment of the invention, the device including an inner member and anouter member;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the device, taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of the inner member of the device ofFIG. 1 by itself;

FIG. 4 is an axial sectional view of a second device that is a preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 6--6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an axial sectional view of a third device that is a preferredembodiment of the invention, shown positioned to receive an article; and

FIG. 8 is a view showing the device of FIG. 7 in collapsed conditionprior to use and packaged in a rigid container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows in axial section a first device 10 that is a preferredembodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is an end view of device 10.

Device 10 comprises a rigid inner member 12, that is also shown in FIG.3, having an open end 14 for receiving and containing material (notshown), such as medical specimens of body fluid, the temperature ofwhich is to be changed. Inner member 12 is typically of a size toreceive a plurality of such specimens, each suitably labeled.

Device 10 further comprises a rigid outer member 16 providing device 10with an outer envelope and having an open end 18 (substantially axiallycoincident with open end 14 of inner member 12) for receiving innermember 12.

Additionally, device 10 comprises a multi-component temperature changingcomposition 20 within outer member 16, and activatable by mixing of itscomponents to provide an exothermic reaction or an endothermic reactionto lower or raise the temperature of the material within inner member12, as desired. Such multi-component compositions are known and need notbe further described herein.

More specifically, inner and outer members 12 and 16 are cylindrical andare coaxial and have outer and inner cylindrical surfaces 22 and 24,respectively, providing an annular space therebetween, and temperaturechanging composition 20 is located within the outer envelope.Specifically, composition 20 is within the annular space.

Device 10 further comprises fins 26 integral with either member 12 ormember 16 and projecting either outwardly from outer cylindrical surface22 or inwardly from inner cylindrical surface 24 to be withincomposition 20 in the annular space between surfaces 22 and 24. Asshown, fins 26 are integral with outer cylindrical surface 22.

Device 10 additionally comprises means for imparting rotational movementof members 12 and 16 relative to each other to agitate and mix andactivate composition 20. As shown, inner member 12 includes a closed end28 at the end of member 12 remote from open end 14 and members 12 and 16have overlapping portions whereby members 12 and 16 are suitably securedtogether.

To revert to the means for imparting relative rotational movement tomembers 12 and 16, this means includes a lever 30 integral with andprojecting transversely outwardly from open end 18 of outer member 16and a base 32 integral with inner member 12 and projecting transverselyoutwardly beyond the envelope of outer member 16. Base 32 provides aknob which may be knurled or grooved for ease of gripping.

To activate composition 20, the user grasps lever 30 with one hand andbase 32 with the other hand and twists members 12 and 16, thus causingfins 26 to activate composition 20 as aforesaid.

It is also noteworthy that lever 30 has an outer end 34 that willprevent device 10 from rolling when on a horizontal surface, such aswhile specimens are being collected.

Further, it is contemplated that a cover (not shown) be provided fordevice 10, the cover suitably being of synthetic rubber.

Members 12 and 16 may be of suitable plastic material which may betransparent for viewing purposes.

The size of members 12 and 16 may vary according to the number, typesand volumes of specimens that are to be accommodated in device 10.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show a second device 40 that is a second preferredembodiment of the invention. Device 40 comprises a rigid inner member 42having an open end 44 for receiving material the temperature of which isto be changed, and a rigid outer member 46 providing device 40 with anouter envelope.

Inner and outer members 42 and 46 are, as shown, generally cylindrical,but they need not be.

To simplify the description, outer member 46 will be described first.Outer member 46 has a closed bottom 48 and an axially extending annularwell 50 extending axially a predetermined distance from bottom 48 to anopen end at the top of outer member 46, thus providing outer member 46with a main cylindrical portion 52 surrounded by an inner cylindricalwall 54 which is in turn surrounded by an outer cylindrical wall 56,with well 50 between walls 54 and 56.

Inner member 42 has a central cup shaped portion 58 depending from openend 44 to a closed bottom 60. The outside diameter of portion 58 isslightly smaller than the inside diameter of wall 54 so as to bereceivable therewithin. Extending radially outwardly from portion 58 atopen end 44 is a flange 62, depending from the outer periphery of whichis a skirt 64 having an inner cylindrical surface 66 of greater diameterthan the outside diameter of wall 54 and an outer cylindrical surface 68of lesser diameter than the inside diameter of wall 56, so that skirt 64is receivable in well 50. The lower end of skirt 64 is spaced axiallyabove bottom 60, so that cup shaped portion 58 can be, and as shown is,within main cylindrical portion 52 of outer member 46 while skirt 64 isnot in well 50.

Releasable means is provided for maintaining inner and outer members 42and 46 in the just-described relative positions, as shown in FIG. 4. Asshown, the releasable means is a pressure sensitive tape 70, engagingmembers 42 and 46 and wrapped therearound.

Skirt 64 has a free end 72 which is provided with a plurality of evenlycircumferentially spaced protruding cutting edges 74, between eachadjacent pair of which is the open end of an axial hole 76.

The open end of well 50 is covered with a rupturable membrane 78.

Device 40 also has a multi-component temperature changing composition 80activatable by mixing. Composition 80 is located within the outerenvelope provided by outer member 46, specifically in well 50.

To activate composition 80, the user, after placing the medicalspecimen(s) or other material the temperature of which is to be changedin cup shaped portion 58 and possibly applying a cover (not shown)thereto, telescopes inner and outer members 42 and 46 together, causingcutting edges 74 to rupture membrane 78 and skirt 64 to enter well 50,until bottoms 48 and 60 engage one another. As skirt 64 travelsdownwardly through well 50 it agitates composition 80 to mix andactivate the same, and composition 80 moves into holes 76.

Members 42 and 46 may be of suitable plastic material which may betransparent for viewing purposes.

The size of members 42 and 46 may vary according to the number, typesand volumes of specimens that are to be accommodated in device 40.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third device 90 that is a third preferredembodiment of the invention, FIG. 7 showing device 90 positioned toreceive material in the form of an article 92, such, for example as acan of soda or soup, the temperature of which is to be changed.

Device 90 includes a flexible, collapsible sack, shown in FIG. 8 incollapsed form prior to use and packaged in a rigid container 94.

Device 90 has an inner member 96 and an outer member 98 that providesdevice 90 with an outer envelope.

Members 96 and 98 are of flexible material, such as suitable plasticwhich is preferably transparent for viewing purposes.

Device 90 will be further described with reference to FIG. 7, in itsopened-up condition, in which members 96 and 98 are cylindrical andaxially co-extensive. Inner member 96 has an open end 100 at its topwhere it is circumferentially sealed to the top of outer member 98.

Device 90 further has a multi-component temperature changing composition102 within the outer envelope provided by outer member 98, specificallyin an annular space between inner and outer members 96 and 98.

At the end of device 90 remote from open end 100, device 90 is providedwith a bottom 104 in the form of a single sheet of suitable plasticmaterial sealed to the axial ends of members 96 and 98 remote from openend 100 to retain composition 102 in place.

No composition 102 is included in bottom 104, thus facilitating collapseof device 90 and minimizing the size of container 94 in which device 90is packaged.

Device 90 is sized and shaped for use with particular sized articles 92and may be readily provided in a plurality of sizes and shapes toaccommodate various articles 92.

To use device 90, it is removed from its rigid container 94 andvigorously squeezed once or twice to mix and activate composition 102.Device 90 is then opened to the condition shown in FIG. 7 and article 92is placed therein by moving same into open end 100 until it reachesbottom 104.

The invention is well suited to the attainment of the stated objects andadvantages and others.

The disclosed details are not to be taken as limitations on theinvention except as those details may be included in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for changing the temperature of materialplaced therein by a user, said device comprising an inner member havingan open end for receiving and containing the material the temperature ofwhich is to be changed, an outer member providing said device with anouter envelope, and a multi-component temperature changing compositionwithin said outer envelope and activatable by mixing, said inner andouter members being movable relative to each other to agitate and mixand activate said composition, wherein said inner and outer members arerigid and said outer member has an inner cylindrical surface and saidinner member has an outer cylindrical surface and said composition is ina space between said members and said device further comprises finsintegral with one of said members and within said composition in saidspace, and said movement imparts rotational movement of said membersrelative to each other, thereby to cause said fins to activate saidcomposition.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said fins areintegral with said inner member.
 3. A device according to claim 1further comprising means for imparting relative movement of said membersand wherein said movement imparting means includes a lever integral withand projecting transversely outwardly from said outer member.
 4. Adevice according to claim 3 wherein said lever has an outer end toprevent said device from rolling on a horizontal surface.
 5. A deviceaccording to claim 3 wherein said movement imparting means furtherincludes a base integral with said inner member and projectingtransversely outwardly beyond said outer member.
 6. A device accordingto claim 5 wherein said inner member has a closed end and said membershave overlapping portions securing the same together.